Thanda Private Game Reserve, in the heart of Zululand, is situated in an area exceptionally rich in fauna and flora, boasting not only the Super 7 (Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, African Wild Dog and Cheetah), but also over 400 bird species. Over the past few years a number of indigenous keystone species, including African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and White Rhino have been reintroduced to this Reserve. Wildlife ACT initiated their monitoring efforts to help assess the progress of these reintroduced species with a focus on the African Wild Dog, Cheetah and Black Rhino, as well getting a handle on the resident Leopard and Hyaena populations' demographics, as well as how these species along with Lion and Buffalo impact on the endangered species.
At the end of 2009, Thanda was expanded by 14,000 ha through the incorporation of the Mduna Royal Reserve. This expansion allowed for the introduction of the Black Rhino and facilitated the establishment of the Thanda Research Centre. This initiative, which is a collaboration between several organisations with a collective vision and commitment to reintroduce vast tracts of lands into wilderness whilst stocking the land with animal species that once grazed uninhibited at the turn of the century, has been long in the making although only now made possible. The partners include: Thanda Foundation Trust; Space for Elephant Foundation; WWF and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife through the Endangered Black Rhino reintroduction programme; Wildlands Conservation Trust who are involved with the Mduna Royal Reserve Project; and Wildlife ACT who have partnering with Thanda on the monitoring programmes. As on all Wildlife ACT projects, a maximum of four volunteer team members are taken on at any given time and each volunteer will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to this project while gaining invaluable experience in the field
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